PINA

Corruption spreads through societies and erodes people’s trust in leaders and institutions, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told an anti-corruption conference on Monday, stressing that “greed over need, harms us all”. In a video message to the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (CoSP9) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, he warned that countries investing in COVID-19 recovery, “must...

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) announced that COVID-19 vaccination is now a mandatory requirement for athletes and officials that are vying for international representative duties under Team PNG effectively. With Team PNG looking to attend two Games in 2022, PNGOC Board passed a resolution of making vaccination mandatory to be a part of Team PNG to the upcoming...

Sydney Roosters youngster Joseph Suaalii has added five kilograms to his frame, plans to resume running with his teammates in the new year following foot surgery and would love the chance to represent Samoa at next year’s World Cup. Rugby league’s most talked about teenager generated plenty of headlines this year, but hopes to make the next 12 months even...

Experts have warned that the next variant of Covid-19 to sweep the world could emerge on Australia’s doorstep, due to incredibly low rates of vaccination rates in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour, and at its nearest point is just 4km from Australian territory in the Torres Strait. At various points in the pandemic there have...

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama says matters before the joint supervisory body (JSB) meeting on Friday in Port Moresby are matters that have been part of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) since 2005. “In the last 16 years, we have achieved only a fraction of our objectives to ensure the autonomous arrangement on Bougainville is practical through tangible development with the...

Tonga's deputy PM and a leading Noble, Lord Ma' afu, has died in Auckland Hospital. In a statement, the Tongan government said Lord Ma'afu passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 12 December. "His Lordship has held Ministerial office for four consecutive governments, with an exemplary and esteemed career in service to the Monarch and the Royal Household, as well...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined the BwebwerikiNET Ltd (BNL) and the Government of Kiribati today to celebrate the landing of a fiber optic cable which brings high-speed broadband one step closer for the Pacific nation. The event was witnessed by Kiribati President Taneti Mamau while Minister for Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development Tekeeua Tarati delivered the keynote address....

By Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Pacific Representative, and Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific School is an important time for children’s learning and development and, even during the pandemic, it is possible to attend school safely. We therefore welcome today’s announcement by the Hon. Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Premila Devi Kumar, that all children will...

Australia has partnered with Japan and the U.S to help improve internet access in three Pacific island nations in efforts to counter China’s influence in the region. The partnership will build a new undersea cable to give Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia faster and more reliable internet connections. Australia’s efforts to help build critical infrastructure in the Pacific...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide an US$80 million loan and the Government of New Zealand a US$21 million grant to help the Cook Islands' economy transition from recovery to sustainable, private sector-led growth. Through the Supporting Sustainable Recovery Programme, the funding will help the Government of the Cook Islands progress ongoing reforms to improve public financial management and...